Question about Accordionist Teachers Guild

[Mike t.]

Accordionists & Teachers Guild, International?
I’ve a question about joining this group/club/organization.
I met a lady recently who is starting/started an accordion group about an hour+ south of me… a little far to travel but doable, they meet every other week. She mentioned they have about seven accordion players in this group. She said I really should join the (ATG) Accordionist & Teachers Guild. She commented that it’s a great resource. My question is, I’ve been playing old time fiddle/old time folk music for the last few years, is this a valued sight for the genre of music that I play? There just happens to be way more jams, campouts and gatherings in my close area to go to in the folk genre, even for the lone accordion player.
Anyone else belong to this Guild? Their web page looks like it’s for the “formal” style of accordion playing, nothing wrong with that but no real group outlets very close to home for me. I will go to their accordion group meeting and check them out in a couple of weeks to see if it’s for me.

 

[JerryPH]

ATG does sway more to the formal form of education. If this is not your cup of tea, you may be happier continuing doing what makes you happiest.

 

[Newbie]

ATG had their convention in Kansas City this past July and honored Joan C. Sommers, a long time instructor at the old accordion school at UMKC (whatever it was called back then). My instructor studied under her and went to the school. I met her through the AGT website and lists of teachers in the area. I don't belong yet but AGT was very helpful to me.